Are we seeing the foundations being laid here for a more coordinated European Carrier Force? It's obvious that Mr Brown and M Sarkozy both have to find savings in their respective Defence budgets; all the more important for the former with Trident's replacement looming.
Would I therefore be cynical to feel that we're inevitably heading towards an announcement that our purchase will be limited to a single cat & trap CVF which will then have it's servicing deconflicted with the CDG? The latter meanwhile would be made compatible with F-35 and both nations would then guarantee deck access for each others trg and ops. Clearly this would raise issues with some national ops where the other nation could play the red card and make things difficult for the other (eg GW2). However, this seems just the sort of excuse these 2 guys are seeking to save cash, and for Brown to reinforce his European credentials.
Thoughts?
MM